Twenty young men from Kaikohe and Moerewa in New Zealand are set to start their journey in the forestry industry as trainees on the new Ngā Māhuri o Ngāti Hine Mānuka Plantation Training Program. This is the first part of a two year program funded by the Billion Tree fund through Te Uru Rākau and supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries Economic Development Unit. Source: Timberbiz

Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust is partnering with Johnson Contractors LTD to deliver a “learn while you earn” approach to L2 Forestry Training.

Moreover, the planting of manuka is all about the Trust’s long term strategy of a mosaic approach that will see the lands being returned to native cover.

The program will see the 2019 trainees plant approximately 200ha of Mānuka seedlings on Ngāti Hine lands. I

n 2020, a course will run with another 20 trainees to plant additional Ngāti Hine lands up to a total of 400+ ha.

Jack Johnson of Johnson Contractors is an experienced industry based trainer.

“Partnering with Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust is an exciting opportunity for us; trainees will strengthen their connection to Te Ao Maori, receive wrap around pastoral support and learn while they earn,” he said.

Ngā Māhuri o Ngāti Hine launched on Monday 4 March at Otiria Marae in Moerewa where trainees, whānau, partners and industry stakeholders gathered to celebrate the commencement of this new initiative located in the Mid North.